Ice loss on Africa’s highest peak prompts star climber Will Gadd to reconsider his sport

World-renowned adventurer Will Gadd is having a rethink about his ice-climbing career and carbon footprint after discovering that his planned ascent of Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro was no longer possible due to the extensive shrinking of its glaciers. Gadd’s story was published by the United Nations...

BALLY REINFORCES COMMITMENT TO MOUNTAIN PROTECTION

Bally, sponsor of the UIAA Mountain Protection Award, recently announced the partnership between its Peak Outlook Foundation with National Geographic on a dedicated campaign to raise greater awareness on the issues plaguing the world’s mountain environments, including Mount Everest, which prominently features in the magazine’s...

UIAA VOLUNTEER SERIES: LIONEL KIENER

By day, Lionel Kiener is a micro-mechanical engineer for Neuchâtel-based research company CSEM. In his spare time he is a keen climber and one of the many volunteers who gives up their precious time to support the UIAA. Kiener has been volunteering with the UIAA...

MEMBERS INVITED TO SHARE BEST PRACTICES

UIAA President Frits Vrijlandt has shared the following message with UIAA member associations ahead of this year’s General Assembly. — The reason for contacting you is my wish to highlight your association’s work at the upcoming UIAA General Assembly (GA) on 23-24 October 2020. Through...

UIAA VOLUNTEER SERIES: Klara Dvorakova

This new UIAA series focuses on the backgrounds of some of the hundreds of volunteers who dedicate precious time and considerable expertise to the federation each year. Klara Dvorakova, head of the UIAA’s Legal Experts Working Group, is the subject of the first profile. Klara...

SUSTAINABLE SUMMITS 2020: RESCHEDULING

The fifth international Sustainable Summits Conference, due to take place later this year, will now be held in 2021. The exact dates are to be confirmed. The Sustainable Summits Conferences are inspired by the growing pressures on our mountain environments, the need to find solutions...

How to extricate yourself from a crevasse

If the fallen climber isn’t injured and knows how to ascend a rope, crevasse self-rescue will be his/her quickest escape. Precautions Plan for self-rescue before a fall: “If I fall, brace yourselves as much as possible, install an anchor and keep the rope tight. I...

EASING OF COVID-19 MEASURES. FURTHER UPDATES FROM UIAA MEMBERS

On 28 May, the UIAA created an online form for members to provide updates regarding the Covid-19 situation in their countries and regions. The tool also offered the opportunity for members to address specific topics and concerns. Members from 37 countries have already contributed to...

EU guidance on how to safely resume travel and reboot Europe’s tourism in 2020 and beyond

The following update comes from the European Commission as was published on 13 May. The PDF version can be downloaded here. — On 13 May, the Commission presents a package of guidelines and recommendations to help Member States gradually lift travel restrictions and allow tourism...

2019 UIAA ANNUAL REPORT NOW AVAILABLE

The UIAA – International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation – has published its 2019 Annual Report. The digital report provides easier access to key resources – such as UIAA news articles, video content and multimedia assets. Contents include: President’s Annual Message A Review of 2019 UIAA...